How to Brew Genuine Bavarian Lager According to the Reinheitsgebot

Here at Hofmeister, we believe that for Bavarian brewed beer to be authentic, there’s more to it than just making it in Bavaria. To make genuine Bavarian lager, it needs to have been brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot.

Germany is known for being a very efficient country, whether it’s high-quality engineering, top-notch public transport or, of course, the sweet nectar that is Bavarian brewed beer. When it comes to the latter, the brilliance of genuine Bavarian lager is no fluke. In fact, it’s a recipe that must be strictly adhered to by law.

In this post, we’ll cover what the Reinheitsgebot is, how beer is brewed in accordance with the law and why it’s an integral part of what makes Bavarian brewed beer so great.

What is the Reinheitsgebot?

2016 marked the 500-year anniversary of the decree known as ‘Reinheitsgebot’. This is a purity law that was put in place to control the ingredients that are used in the brewing process of German beer. When you consider how long ago that is — for example, during that time, Shakespeare was busy scribbling — it’s incredible that such an old law is still relevant. Not only does the Reinheitsgebot define the entire beer brewing process, it’s also theoldest food standard in the world.

Ever since 1516 when the law was first put in place, German beer has been recognised firstly for how delicious it is, but also for how it sets the bar with regards to quality. So if you have ever found yourself asking the question “why is German beer so damn good?”, you have the Reinheitsgebot decree to thank.

How to Brew Beer According to the Reinheitsgebot

One would probably expect a purity law to be quite complex and detailed when it comes to how the beer is brewed, but the reality is that it’s a few simple ground rules that have proved to be very effective for ensuring the quality of German beer. The original 1516 decree states that only three ingredients should be used in the brewing process — and German breweries still abide by this today.

While the Reinheitsgebot does have its critics, if you intend to brew genuinely Bavarian brewed beer, you will need to stick to the three ingredients. Genuine Bavarian lager isn’t just a beverage; it’s a benchmark for beer-lovers all over the world. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

When you consider that the Reinheitsgebot restricts German beer to only three ingredients — which we can assure you does make it a more difficult task — it’s impressive that the taste and quality is equally as good, if not better, than other beers on the market. While we do have the German purity law to thank for this, companies such as Hofmeister who continue to brew genuine Bavarian lager and promote the importance of the Reinheitsgebot are also very important for the beer community.

Is Hofmeister Genuine Bavarian Lager?

Here at Hofmeister, we LOVE bavarian brewed beer, so naturally, our Helles lager is brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot. Not only have we followed the three-ingredient law, but we also went one step further and sought out the highest quality of water, hops and barley that the various Bavarian regions have to offer. We also discovered a family-owned brewery on the edge of a beautiful Bavarian forest, which we now use to make Hofmeister Helles lager. It doesn’t get more authentically Bavarian than that!

We use the purest mineral water from an underground lake beneath the Ebersberg forest, award-winning hops from the Hallertau region, and locally grown barley that’s malted in our malthouse. While there’s no doubt that making genuine Bavarian brewed beer in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot is more difficult due to the ingredient restrictions, it does ensure that our beer being brewed tastes amazing.

Are you a beer enthusiast with a taste for genuine Bavarian lager? Hofmeister Helles lager is brewed according to Reinheitsgebot and is definitely the beer for you! Hofmeister is stocked in pubs, bars and other establishments all over the UK.

If you would like some more information or are unable to find some in your area, get in touch via info@hofmeister.co.uk and we’ll help you out.

It’s been a while. But never fear, Hofmeister is back. But before you can Follow The Bear again, we need to do the legal bit and check you’re 18 or over (although if you remember Hof the first time around, you definitely are!).

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…but you’re not old enough to enter our site. Pop back when you’re 18 and we’ll happily tell you about our genuine Bavarian Helles Lager. But it’s going to have to be ‘auf wiedersehen’ till then.